Second Deputy Chairperson of the Shura Council, Dr. Jihad Abdulla Al-Fadhel, has asserted that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has paved the way for the legislative branch to carry out its national responsibilities freely and independently, take advantage of global democratic and parliamentary practices to develop the system of legislation and laws that drive the sustainability of national development.
She also highlighted the continuous royal directives to support international parliamentary initiatives and endeavours aimed at achieving the good and development of countries and the progress of their peoples.
She stressed the important role played by parliamentarians in developing legislative and legal solutions and measures that help in finding effective mechanisms and programmes to achieve their countries’ sustainable development goals and prosperity, expressing her pride in the constant support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the legislature, in line with the royal directives.
Al-Fadhel made the statements while chairing the second session of the 10th Retreat of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils of Africa and Arab World (ASSECAA), hosted by the Kingdom of Eswatini from May 11 to 13. The meeting focused on the importance of green economy in achieving sustainable development in Africa and the Arab world.
Addressing the session, Dr. Al-Fadhel called for adopting a set of recommendations aimed at boosting the role of green economy in achieving sustainable development in Africa and the Arab world.
These include mainly the adoption of an initiative to launch an Arab-African platform to support renewable energy projects, developing the necessary technologies to address climate challenges by working together within the diplomatic and parliamentary framework to enhance economic cooperation in all fields, creating innovative and sustainable solutions, and increasing green areas, especially in Arab and African countries, to reduce carbon levels and emissions that cause climate change.
Dr. Al-Fadhel suggested continuing to invest in development projects for carbon capture and storage technologies, being the basis for achieving a sustainable green economy that contributes to reducing the risks of climate change, commitment to achieving zero carbon neutrality by creating qualitative and innovative opportunities in the national economy to define a lifestyle based on environmentally friendly and carbon-free practices, as well as continuing to develop renewable energy, stimulating the private sector and raising energy efficiency to participate effectively in the transition from dependence on natural resources to dependence on renewable energy sources.
She indicated that the Kingdom has made extensive efforts to move towards a green economy based on competitiveness, fairness and sustainability.
In this regard, she affirmed that since the launch of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, the kingdom has made steadfast strides to build a strong economy with diversified sources of income, shifting from reliance on natural resources as a source of income to creating sustainable opportunities in the economy, contributing to the development of non-oil sectors and increasing the size of the gross domestic product.
She also referred to Bahrain’s announcement of its commitment to reaching zero carbon neutrality by 2060, in compliance with global responsibilities.
Concluding her speech, Dr. Al-Fadhel affirmed Bahrain shares the concern of the Arab and African countries regarding the climate change crisis in the region, and therefore has adopted efforts to shift to a green economy by achieving more than 95% of its national renewable energy goals, and more than 80% of its national energy efficiency goals, noting that Bahrain’s initiatives are consistent with the initial goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2035.
Source: Bahrain News Agency